You Belong Here: Teens at Center for Spiritual Living

Sunday mornings at CSLSR look a little different for teens.

While the second service is underway, a group of young people ages 13 and up gathers for something they've made their own. The Teen Group meets every Sunday at 11 am, and the agenda is refreshingly open: connect, support each other, explore a spiritual path, and maybe eat something good while doing it.

What actually happens in the room? Movies, books, artwork, games, and conversations that matter. Some weeks the group plans community service. Other weeks they follow wherever curiosity leads. The throughline is relationship, and the understanding that each person is welcome exactly as they are.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you don't have to be anything other than yourself here. The group is built around that.

The People Behind the Program

The Teen Group is supported by trained volunteers who bring experience with youth. If you're a parent curious about who's in the room, or an adult who'd like to be part of this work, reach out to Jennifer Caldwell, Youth and Family Coordinator.

Teen Camp

Twice a year, teens from Centers for Spiritual Living communities across the country gather for a week-long overnight camp, once in summer and once in winter. It's a chance to widen the circle, make friends beyond Santa Rosa, and go deeper. Teens interested in attending can start by coming to the Sunday group, and find more information at the CSL Teen Camp page.

CSLSR Sluggers Softball Schedule

 

Come out on Friday nights and root for the Center’s softball team!

Location: Northwest Community Park, 2880 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Park in the lot you first see. Our playing field is the only one bordering the access road, which you can also park on. (There are two other fields to the west.)

Here is a schedule of the games:

Fri. 6/5 – 6:30 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. The Warriors

Fri. 6/12 – 7:40 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Happy Hour Here’s

Fri. 6/19 – 8:50 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Mitz Fitz

Fri. 6/26 – 8:50 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Free Agents

Fri. 7/10 – 6:30 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Raptors

Fri. 7/17 – 7:40 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. The Warriors

Fri. 7/24 – 8:50 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Happy Hour Here’s

Fri. 7/31 – 6:30 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Mitz Fitz

Fri. 8/7 – 6:30 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Free Agents

Fri. 8/14 – 7:40 pm – CSL Sluggers vs. Raptors

Playoffs (8/21) will be announced if we make it!

 

 

Halloween Fun!

What a sacred and joyful time of year it is to be alive! As the seasons shift and the veil between the seen and unseen grows thin, we find ourselves in a beautiful space where remembrance meets celebration, and imagination meets intention.

Whether your family is honoring the life of a loved one, participating in the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, or simply dressing up to embody another facet of the Divine through costume and play, there is deep joy and meaning to be found.

This season invites us not only to reflect on those who came before us but also to recognize the creative spirit within ourselves and our children. In the teachings of Science of Mind, we understand that we are each expressions of the Infinite—unique emanations of Spirit. What a beautiful concept to carry into this season of transformation: that even in our play, we are practicing the art of conscious creation.

As your child chooses a costume, shares stories, or delights in a treat, know that they are participating in a sacred act of becoming—trying on new energies, expressing hidden dreams, and celebrating the Divine in all its colorful forms. Let us encourage them to move through this season with joy, curiosity, and reverence.

May we, as a community, hold space for both the sweetness and the soulfulness of this time. And may we continue to affirm that Life is good, and it is happening through us, for us, and as us.

We are dressing up again this year and will do a costumes parade through the sanctuary on October 26th during our Youth and Family Program. Program starts at 11am every Sunday. If your child forgets to wear their costume or wants to embellish we will have some extra things we can share for the morning.

The teens are well under way with their fundraising for camp- this Sunday, October 26th will be the last day to order a holiday wreath, Sees chocolate and to embellish the fun of the day we are having a bake sale too!

Parents of teens: Our field trip to the Pumpkin Patch is this Saturday. Your teen was given the permission form this week. Please have them bring it to the pumpkin patch. Besides myself, Lily and Octavio will be there to support them. 

Another Important Date: 11/15 is Deadline for deposit as well as scholarship application to Winter Camp 2026

Jennifer Caldwell

Youth and Family Program Coordinator

On the topic of Bullying.....part 1

When Your Child Is Hurt: A Parent's Reflection on Bullying Through the Science of Mind

It’s a moment no parent is truly prepared for.

That pause in your child’s voice.
The drop of the eyes.
The quiet way they say, “Someone was mean to me today.”

When my child came home and told me about being bullied, I felt a wave of emotions—anger, sadness, helplessness. The protective part of me wanted to fix it immediately, to shield them from pain. But I also knew: this was a moment not just for reaction, but for reflection.

In Science of Mind, we are taught that there is One Mind, One Presence, One Life, expressing uniquely through each of us. That truth doesn’t change, even in moments of hurt. Even when someone’s behavior seems to contradict it.

So how do we hold that spiritual truth when our child is the one suffering?

Facing the Reality Without Denying the Truth

Science of Mind is not about spiritual bypassing. It's not about saying “all is well” when something clearly isn’t. It’s about recognizing what’s happening in the physical world, while also affirming a deeper spiritual reality.

I allowed myself—and my child—to feel. To talk through the hurt. To be honest about how painful it is when someone uses their words or actions to harm.

No one’s behavior can change who you are.
You are whole, worthy, and powerful. That is the truth of your being.
And the person who hurt you? They’ve forgotten that same truth about themselves.

Seeing the Bully Through Spiritual Eyes

This was the hardest part for me as a parent: trying to see the other child—not just as “the bully,” but as a spiritual being who has lost sight of who they are.

Ernest Holmes writes, "There is a power for good in the universe, greater than you are, and you can use it."

But sometimes people use that power unconsciously. They project their own pain outward. They act from fear. They forget Love.

That doesn’t excuse the behavior. But it helps me teach my child something more powerful than retaliation: compassion with boundaries.

We can say “that behavior is not okay” while still knowing that everyone has the capacity to return to love—even the one who caused harm.

Using Our Spiritual Tools

That night, after our conversation, I turned to my spiritual practice. I lit a candle. I sat in stillness. And I spoke a spiritual mind treatment—for my child, for the other child, and for myself:

There is One Life. That Life is Love. That Life is expressing through every child.
I affirm peace, truth, and clarity for my child, knowing their spirit is unshaken.
I affirm healing and awareness for the child who acted out of pain.
I affirm patience and wisdom for myself as I parent through this.
I trust that Divine Intelligence is present in this situation now.
I let Love lead. And so it is.

Teaching Resilience Rooted in Spirit

Bullying is a very real challenge, and I don’t pretend that spirituality erases it. But Science of Mind reminds us that we are not powerless. That every situation is a doorway to deeper awareness. That our thoughts, words, and actions shape not only how we respond—but what we model for our children.

I want my child to know they can speak up. That boundaries are healthy. That kindness doesn’t mean being silent. And that they are never separate from the Power and Presence of the Divine.

Even in the hardest moments, we can return to Truth. We can guide our children back to it too. With love. With intention. With grace.

Closing Affirmation for Parents

I am a channel for Divine Love and wisdom.
I support my child in truth, in strength, and in compassion.
I trust the unfolding of this journey.
I anchor in Spirit. And I choose Love.

As always,

Have a peaceful day,

Jennifer Caldwell 

Times are Changing

 Fall Reminders 

• In August we are finishing up the theme Love and the Law
• September we will turn our focus to the purpose and meaning of leading a life with meaning 
• Oct 26th Costume Parade and Teen Bake Sale     

Wear your costume to Center and join a costumes parade! Adults are welcome to dress up as well to join the fun! Please, no scary or violent costumes and no pretend weapons. Our littlest friends are still new here and are not to be left our of our hearts. 

 

The Sacred Rhythm of Now 

I am constantly reminded in the fall about the renewal process. There is a cycle, we are all part of it. The only constant is that things will change. This year couldn't be any different. In fact, I find myself longing for the turn of the wheel. Do you ever feel that way? "Can't wait for xyz to finally be finished so we can get on to abc!"But lately, I'm trying to notice when I slip into that mode of living for the next thing. Always looking ahead, waiting for change, chasing the next chapter. (AH, I cant wait until you're potty trained or when you don't need my help with all this homework).And in doing that, I sometimes miss what's right here. 

Fall has a way of pulling me back. The crunch of the leaves underfoot, the crisp air, the slow down- it's natures invitation to return to presence.  In Science of Mind, we recognize that life is always unfolding perfectly, in harmony with divine intelligence. Each season reflects a sacred rhythm, a reminder that Spirit is always expressing itself though every part of life- nothing is out of place. Everything is part of a divine cycle of becoming.  As a parent, that call to mindfulness feels even more urgent. Our kids are always growing, changing- just like the seasons. One minute they're slamming doors and the next asking for car keys. And I don't want to miss the now because I'm too busy wishing for the next. 

So this season, I am reminding myself to pause. To notice they way the light shifts in the afternoon. To actually hear the stories my child is telling me, even if they ramble. To breathe deeply before I respond. To remember that mindfulness is not just a practice but an invitation to be my best self. It's how I attune to the Infinite in my daily life.

 To be here, fully. Even in the mess, even in the mundane. Because this-just like the leaves turning , is a part of the cycle too.  And the more I return to presence, the more I remember: I am already aligned with One Mind, the One Life, the One Love. 

As always, I can't wait to see your children on Sunday during the second service. Feel free to reach out if you need anything in between. 

Have a peaceful day,

Jennifer Caldwell

Meditation

Find a quiet space, or simply pause where you are. You don't need silence, you just need a moment. 

Begin by breathing. Take a deep breath through your nose....and let it go slowly through you mouth. Again, inhale deeply, and fully exhale. 

Let your shoulders soften. Let your jaw unclench. Let you hands relax in your lap or at your sides.

Let yourself arrive. Right here, right now. There is nowhere else you need to be in this moment. Nothing else you need to do. Just this breath. Just this presence.

Now, gently bring your awareness to your body. Notice the ground beneath you supporting you. Feel your feet rooted, connected. Feel your chest rise and fall with each breath. This is your anchor, your breath, your body, your now.

As a parent, your days are often filled with noise, movement, and giving. So many moments pulled in different directions, so many tasks, so many voices, so much love.  But even in the whirlwind, you have the power to return to yourself, to presence, to peace.

Now, bring to mind you child(ren). See their face just as they are, No need to fix, no need to plan. Just see them. Love them. Be with them in your heart. ( Tell them: I am here for you. For you. For me. For this moment.)

Now turn inward once more. Say outloud: I return to presence. I trust the rhythm of this season. I meet myself with compassion, I meet my child with love, I am founded, I am guided, I am enough. 

Breathe that in. Let it settle. Let it be.

When you're ready, slowly begin to return. Wiggles your finger sand toes. Stretch gently if you ened. An take one more deep, nourishing breath. Carry this stillness with you- not as something perfect, but as something perfect. a breath away. Always.

Youth and Family Volunteer Spotlight-Meet Lily!

I started attending CSL Santa Rosa when I was seventeen years old. Attending the Sunday teen group made me feel included and cared for. It was a safe space for me to express myself and to really be who I wanted to be. Being a part of the teem group helped me get through a hard time in my life.

When I was a teen, I went to three of the team camps. It was a huge experience for me and changed the way that I felt and looked at things. It was one of the first times that I experienced unconditional love. It really felt like a bubble of people who were so kind and caring, and I felt no judgment-that’s a rare feeling in the outside world. Being able to experience that as a teenager was pivotal for me.

Now, as an adult, I enjoy the privilege of leading the team group at CSL Santa Rosa. It wasn’t something that happened on purpose, but I was called to this role and have been in it since we started back up after COVID. Working with the teens makes me feel like I have the opportunity to give to them what was given to me. It’s important to me to help create a safe space for the teens to be their true selves. It’s so special and unique to be in this role after being in their shoes. I enjoy being with the teens because they are creative, kind, and caring individuals who make me laugh and give me fresh perspective. It’s amazing getting to see them connect with one another and with spirit.

June 2025 Youth and Family Topics

June 2025 Radiant Expressions of Life 

Announcement! We are having All Community Service on 6/29. We will be asking for our weekly Youth and Family Volunteers to join us for the single service at 10am. There will be no youth programming this Sunday - we will be in sanctuary! It'll be a great service- hope to see you there and afterwards for food and community. 

As we step into the warmth and vibrancy of June, we're reminded-perhaps by the sound of children laughing outside or the rhythm of the school year winding down - that life is full, dynamic, and always in motion. For parents, this season often brings a mix of joy, busyness, and reflection. Amid packed schedules and tender moments. we're invited to remember that we, too, are radiant expressions of Life itself. The teaching of Science of Mind remind us that we are not just caretakers of others' growth- we are spiritual beings growing ourselves. Every diaper changed, every hard conversation, every bedtime story in an opportunity to live with intention and love. This month, we explore how joy, connection, courage, peace and love can show up not in grand gestures, but in the sacred, everyday acts of parenting. Through it all, we return to the truth that the same Divine Presence that flows through the universe flows through us- and out families. 

6/1 The Spectrum of Joy I fully embrace the spectrum of human experience

“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.”-Holmes

This week, we begin with joy- not just the kind that babbles up when life is easy - but the deeper joy that includes our whole experience. When we brace every emotion every emotion with compassion, we become more alive. Joy isn't the denial of difficulty; it's the inclusion of it. We reflect into life not only our thoughts but our willingness to see the sacred in it all. Do any of you remember the song "I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart?"

6/8 Colors of Connection There is one creative Source of all things

“There is one power in the Universe and we can all use it.”

We are never alone. Whether we are connecting with a loved one, a stranger. or our own inner being, the same Creative Intelligence flows through all. Let this be a week of recognizing that each moment of connection is a moment of Spirit recognizing Itself. We are individual threads in one tapestry.


6/15 Inspired by Courage I embrace ideas of freedom and unity in all I do

“The road to freedom lies, not through mysteries or occult performances, but through the intelligent use of natural forces and laws.”

This Father's Day week, we honor the courage it takes to live in alignment with Truth. Real freedom comes not from external circumstances but from understanding and using the laws of Life wisely. Every act of conscious courage- whether standing up for your values or simply choosing peace - is a sacred step toward greater freedom and unity.

6/22 Living Radiantly I hold the vision of peace and love for all

“Love rules through Law. Love is the Divine Givingness; Law is the Way. Love is spontaneous; Law is impersonal... Love points the way and Law makes the way possible.”

To live radiantly is to live from the heart. We don't just wish for peace and love-we embody them. Love is the guiding impulse of the Universe, and Law is the structure that supports it. As we hold a clear and loving vision for the world, we participate in the Divine unfolding. Let you life be a light, a radiant reflection of the Love that you are. 

6/29 A Legacy of Love I am worthy. I am loved. I am enough.

“It should be considered right to live and enjoy living. To be well, happy, and to express freedom, is to be in accord with Divine Law and Wisdom.”

We close the month with a sacred reminder; You are not here to merely survive- you are here to thrive. Worthiness is not something to earn; it is the truth of your being. In recognizing your inherent value, you leave a legacy of love-not only through what you do, but through who you are. Breath this truth in deeply. You are enough. Always.